The 119th Congress convened with Republicans taking control of both chambers. Mike Johnson is vying for the House Speaker position, facing potential challenges and a narrow majority.
The 119th Congress convenes on Friday amid a huge shift of power in Washington as Republican s take control of both chambers of Congress ahead of President-elect Donald Trump being sworn in on Jan. 20. The first order of business in the House will be to elect its speaker -- a process that has created high drama in recent years. Republican s maintained control of the House in the November elections, but will hold a historically narrow margin.
Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana appears to have the support of the majority of his conference -- and the endorsement of Trump and Elon Musk, the billionaire donor who has been advising the president-elect. But it's not necessarily locked in that Johnson will secure the gavel on the first ballot. GOP Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has said he will vote against Johnson, meaning Johnson can only afford one more defection from his conference. At least 17 Republicans say they are undecided, by an ABC News count. How is the speaker elected? Johnson will need a majority of those present and voting to remain speaker. That means the number starts at 218. The official majority will be determined after the opening of Congress; the clerk reads the official number of certificates of election received and that is used to determine a majority and members record their presence during a quorum call. The simple majority can change depending on any absent members or if members vote 'present' -- which would lower the threshold needed. Former Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress in November after Trump picked him to be his attorney general before later withdrawing, is the most intriguing wild card. Gaetz has toyed with the prospect of returning to the Capitol to participate in the speaker's vote and create one last dose of congressional chaos. The House Ethics Committee released a report on its investigation into Gaetz over violations of House rules after he left the House, but he was reelected in November before resignin
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